Crankcase of an engine

Abstract

The present invention provides a motorcycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame supported by the front and rear wheels, a crankcase including a first interface portion and a first passageway exposed to the first interface portion, a reservoir located remotely from the crankcase adapted to contain a lubricant, and a transmission case supported by the frame and including a second interface portion and a second passageway exposed to the second interface portion. The second passageway is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The first interface portion is coupled to the second interface portion. The first passageway is in fluid communication with the second passageway. The first and second passageways provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the crankcase through the first and second interface portions.

1. A crankcase adapted for use with a motorcycle including a transmission case assembly having a first interface portion, a first passageway exposed to the first interface portion, and a reservoir located remotely from the crankcase adapted to contain a lubricant, the crankcase comprising:
 a second interface portion adapted to be coupled to the first interface portion; and 
 a second passageway exposed to the second interface portion, the first and second passageways adapted to provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the crankcase through the first and second interface portions when the first and second interface portions are coupled. 
 
   
   
     2. The crankcase of  claim 1 , wherein the second passageway comprises a portion of a lubricant return passageway through which lubricant is transported from the crankcase to the reservoir. 
   
   
     3. The crankcase of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel formed in the second interface portion, wherein the channel is adapted to fluidly communicate the second passageway and the first passageway. 
   
   
     4. The crankcase of  claim 1 , the transmission case assembly including a third passageway exposed to the first interface portion, further comprising:
 a fourth passageway exposed to the second interface portion, wherein a combination of the first and second passageways comprises a lubricant feed passageway through which lubricant is transported from the reservoir to the crankcase, and wherein a combination of the third and fourth passageways comprises a lubricant return passageway through which lubricant is transported from the crankcase to the reservoir. 
 
   
   
     5. The crankcase of  claim 4 , the transmission case assembly including a fifth passageway exposed to the first interface portion, further comprising:
 a sixth passageway exposed to the second interface portion, wherein a combination of the fifth and sixth passageways comprises a vent passageway through which vapor is transported between the crankcase and the reservoir. 
 
   
   
     6. The crankcase of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second interface portions define a plane when the first and second interface portions are coupled, and wherein the plane is angularly oriented relative to a vertical plane passing through at least one of the first and second interface portions between about 1 degree and about 5 degrees.